Entities meet to address UTSA growing pains

The Aspen Heights apartment complex has reached out to its neighbors in an effort to change its image as a party central.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

UTSA Student Government President Xavier Johnson speaks at a community meeting at Aspen Heights to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic in neighborhoods around UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Community leaders including UTSA campus police and a District 8 staffer meet at Aspen Heights - an off-campus student living community - to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic in neighborhoods near UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Phillips & Company representative Sarah Marshall writes down ideas during a community meeting at Aspen Heights to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic in neighborhoods around UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

District 8 staffer Adam Trevino addresses the group during a community meeting at Aspen Heights to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic in neighborhoods around UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

UTSA Assistant Police Chief Daniel Pena speaks at a community meeting at Aspen Heights to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic in neighborhoods around UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Aspen Heights executive Russ Murphy speaks at a community meeting at Aspen Heights - an off-campus student living community - to discuss ideas about how to deal with growth-related problems like crime and traffic around neighborhoods like Aspen Heights which surrounds UTSA on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

The newest off-campus apartment complex near the University of Texas at San Antonio is trying to change its reputation as the place to party, and has enlisted the help of its neighbors.

Aspen Heights opened doors to its 175 “premium housing” units off of West Hausman Road in August, and neighboring residents in Woodthorn immediately noticed a change.

“It was literally hell,” Nelly Watson, the neighborhood association president, said at a meeting held by Aspen Heights to address concerns Tuesday.

Since then, Aspen Heights has spent about $40,000 in added security, including spikes to stop motorists trying to enter through the apartment's gated exits and additional officers to man guard posts.

Management now imposes fines on tenants whose parties attract San Antonio police and even evicts residents who bring trouble to the complex's quaint streets.

“Guests are the problem,” said Jason Braun, general manager of Aspen Heights. “They know these kids have money, and they know they have good parties. But we're letting residents know that they are also responsible for their guests.”

Watson said that while things have improved since the complex opened, her neighbors still have concerns.

At the Tuesday meeting, a number of entities — UTSA, several off-campus apartment complexes, a few neighborhood associations, UTSA police and San Antonio City Councilman Reed Williams — were represented and discussed area concerns.

“We really don't know how to handle the situation,” said Adam Treviño, director of constituent services for Williams' office. “About 80 percent of the problems are under control at this property, but we (the city) have allocated hellacious amounts of equipment and manpower.”

Treviño said that soon, Watson and her neighbors will see some alleviation of traffic problems, as the city plans to restrict parking on JV Bacon Parkway, which borders Aspen Heights. It will cost about $25,000 to complete, Treviño said, adding he hopes Aspen Heights will cover the cost.

But there are other problems, and will be future complexes, meeting attendees said.

Most of those in attendance agreed to attend future discussions in hopes of finding a long-term solution. The lack of nearby entertainment and bars has led to a “house-party atmosphere,” said Dan Peña, assistant chief for UTSAPD.

“This is not a one-stop solution, it's an ongoing problem that has to be enforced,” Peña said. “We've learned that the hard way.”